The Jefferson County Board of Education (JCBE), in collaboration with the Superintendent Screening Committee, has announced the selection of two finalists in the search for the next superintendent of Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS).
This week, the board and screening committee interviewed six candidates from a field of 34 applicants presented by national search firm Hazard, Young, Attea Associates (HYA). After a vetting and interview process, the pool has been narrowed to two finalists—Ben Shuldiner and Dr. H. Brian Yearwood.
Ben Shuldiner is the superintendent of the Lansing School District in Michigan. He has over 25 years of experience transforming education as a teacher, principal, professor, school board member, and superintendent. As superintendent of Lansing schools, he has led a major turnaround, raising graduation rates by 26%, boosting attendance by 13%, and reversing decades of enrollment decline. Under his leadership, Lansing achieved Michigan’s highest reading growth scores (2022–2024) and launched initiatives such as Universal Pre-K, Lansing Technical High School, and the Newcomer Center.
Previously, Shuldiner was a distinguished lecturer at Hunter College, where he oversaw education leadership programs, and served on the New York City Board of Education. He was twice elected president of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. Earlier, he founded the High School for Public Service in Brooklyn, which was named New York State’s top Title I school.
Shuldiner graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University and earned his MSEd from Baruch College.
Dr. H. Brian Yearwood was born in Scarborough, Trinidad and Tobago. He earned an associate degree from New Mexico Military Institute. His journey continued at Texas Tech University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in geology, followed by a master’s degree in educational administration, and ultimately, a doctorate in educational leadership and statistics.
Yearwood began his professional career as a middle school physical science teacher and tennis coach. After three years in the classroom, he transitioned into administration, serving as an assistant principal and principal at the elementary and middle school levels, and later as an assistant superintendent overseeing curriculum, instruction, human resources, and academics and chief operations officer at Manor Independent School District in Texas.
From 2021-24, Yearwood served as the superintendent of the fourth-largest school district in Missouri, Columbia Public Schools. Under his leadership, the district achieved milestones, including a 16-point increase in its Annual Performance Report (APR) score, reaching an impressive 86.5 percent.
“Both individuals have a wealth of experiences and credentials that have prepared them for a leadership opportunity such as the superintendency of JCPS presents,” said Dr. Corrie Shull, chair of the JCBE. “Both individuals are capable of elevating student learning in our district, ensuring students continue to excel and our district will continue to flourish.”
The finalists will participate in a final round of interviews and engage in Q&A sessions with community members, district staff, and other key stakeholders later this month. These public Q&A sessions are scheduled for Tuesday, May 20.
The first session will take place from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the JCPS Center for Professional Learning (3902 Atkinson Square) and will be livestreamed on the JCBE YouTube page. A recording will also be posted on the JCPS website and social media platforms.
The second session will be held from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Stopher Elementary School (14417 Aiken Road).
“We hope that our community comes out in full force to meet the candidates and to give the board feedback,” Shull said.
For more information on the finalists and the superintendent search process, visit JCPS Superintendent Search.